The Pilot Money Guys

What would the ideal airline pilot retirement benefits package look like if you could build it using the best provisions from across the industry? In this episode, a panel of financial planning experts compare retirement savings plans at United, American, Delta and Southwest, looking at what pilots can learn from each airline's approach. You'll hear how employer contributions, Roth conversion options, after-tax contributions and mega backdoor Roth strategies work, as well as where the differences between plans could make a meaningful impact on long-term retirement savings.

You can find show notes, resources and more at: https://tinyurl.com/yc476t4j

Financial success isn't just about how much money you make. It's about knowing which advice to trust, making decisions that fit your circumstances, and building a financial future that supports the life you want. In this episode, Eric Hubbard shares practical insights into navigating financial noise, recognizing the risks behind high-yield investments, and understanding why total return matters more than dividend income alone.

You can find show notes, resources and more at: https://tinyurl.com/46sfjn8y

Why are bond prices falling when interest rates rise, and does that mean investors should be worried? In this episode, we break down the bond market in plain English, exploring what drives bond yields, why prices move in the opposite direction to interest rates, and how inflation, economic growth and government borrowing influence the market. We also explain why recent market movements need to be viewed in historical context rather than through alarming headlines.

You can find show notes, resources and more at: https://tinyurl.com/ms9aajs8

When headlines are shouting about AI, market highs, and economic uncertainty, how do you know what deserves your attention and what is simply noise? In this episode, we unpack listener questions that many investors are quietly asking. Listen in as we explore whether AI is creating a bubble, why all-time market highs aren't necessarily a warning sign, what history tells us about downturns, and more.

You can find show notes, resources and more at: https://tinyurl.com/5dfatzax

What can eight months in a North Vietnamese prison camp teach you about hope, courage and putting the rest of life into perspective? Former Navy pilot and Vietnam POW Mike Penn shares the extraordinary story behind his book, Hope and Courage, from the mission that led to his capture and his time in the Hanoi Hilton to the experiences that shaped his life long after he returned home.

Take The Pilot Wealth Index to find out if you are on track for retirement!

You can find show notes, resources and more at: https://tinyurl.com/2z7cp9ur

What if the index fund you thought was simple was actually shaped by a complex set of rules, decisions, and trade-offs? In this episode, we sit down with Rob Harvey, Co-Head of Product Specialists and Vice President at Dimensional Fund Advisors, to unpack what indexing really means. You'll learn how indexes are constructed, who actually makes the rules, how index funds are managed, and why "passive" investing may not be as passive—or straightforward—as it sounds.

Take The Pilot Wealth Index to find out if you are on track for retirement!

You can find show notes, resources and more at: https://tinyurl.com/2ttsnwyn

What does it really mean to have "enough"? And how do you know when you've reached it? In this episode, we're joined by Eric Hubbard, paraplanner at Leading Edge Financial Planning, to explore the difference between reaching a financial number and finding true satisfaction in life. We also discuss how pilots can prepare for retirement, not just financially but also emotionally, by understanding what they're retiring to, not just what they're retiring from.

Take The Pilot Wealth Index to find out if you are on track for retirement!

You can find show notes, resources and more at: https://tinyurl.com/4fpbawmy

Is artificial intelligence really replacing jobs, or is it simply changing the way we work? In this episode, Dr. Jay Jay Billings, CEO and co-founder of Band Gap, cuts through the hype surrounding AI to explain what it actually is, where it's already transforming industries, and why many of the biggest headlines miss the point. You'll learn the difference between traditional AI and today's large language models, how organizations are using AI to solve real-world problems, and why putting customer needs first—not the technology—is the key to successful innovation.

Take The Pilot Wealth Index to find out if you are on track for retirement!

You can find show notes, resources and more at: https://tinyurl.com/bdsemstm

How do you stay focused when the headlines are shouting one thing, but the markets are doing another? In this quarterly market update, we unpack the biggest investment stories shaping the second quarter, helping investors separate fact from fiction. You'll learn what drove one of the strongest quarters for U.S. markets in years, why diversification is making a comeback, and what the latest economic data really means for your portfolio.

Take The Pilot Wealth Index to find out if you are on track for retirement!

You can find show notes, resources and more at: https://tinyurl.com/mpa9ftfp

What if the most "sophisticated" money moves you've been hearing about online are actually the least helpful for building real wealth? In this episode, we break down seven financial strategies that sound impressive on the surface but can range from genuinely useful tools to misleading traps or outright scams. From viral currency schemes to complex products like structured notes and annuities, the conversation is all about cutting through financial noise and focusing on what actually works.

Take The Pilot Wealth Index to find out if you are on track for retirement!

You can find show notes, resources and more at: https://tinyurl.com/bdehcjev